TIGER TABBY'S FAMILY PHOTOS

We are a good-looking bunch, if I do say so myself.

Cats were never bred to work like dogs (though we do love to chase mice). And, while pet dogs come in many shapes and sizes, all pet cats have the same basic (and soooo handsome) body shape. Even so, humans have figured out ways to give us many beautiful colors, patterns, and coats, and some rather silly-looking features. (But don't go by me. I'm just your everyday, all-round, well-adjusted house cat.) Now and then, kittens are born with folded ears or curly fur. Sometimes these oddball cats strike the fancy of humans, who then attempt to breed more cats with unusual traits. They do this by mating males and females who have the traits they want, in a process called selective breeding. As a result, there are about 30 different breeds in my family today.

But let's talk about ME. The word tabby comes from attabi, a type of striped fabric made in Iraq. The earliest cat ancestors probably looked something like ME, and today some of my wild relatives in the forests and deserts wear the tabby pattern. So we tabbies aren't one particular breed. No-siree. Tabby is an ancient pattern of stripes and spots that all cats share, from alley cats to fancy-pants felines. Then why don't all cats look like ME? Well, the tabby patterns are actually created by individual hairs marked with bands of color. But, where hairs are only one color, the pattern doesn't show. (How boring!) There are four tabby patterns; my stripy coat (gorgeous, eh?) is only one of them, and it's called mackerel, though I prefer TIGER.

ME. Wasn't I an adorable kitten? The tabby pattern always includes that elegant M on the forehead. (stands for ME, no doubt.)

Princess Pim

You'd hardly guess this loud-mouth Siamese is descended from the Royal Cats of Siam. Man, can she talk! Pim's "points," the distinctive color on her head, feet, and tail, make her particularly beautiful-and she knows it.

Uncle Fez

Talk about FUR! My Persian uncle has enough for three cats. And don't let his frowny face fool you. He looks fierce, but he's really a cupcake.

This is s nice photo of my American Curl relatives. Sally, Sue, TJ, and Bob always look a little startled-but I would, too, if my ears curled back.

Cousin Angus

Cousin Angus wants you to think he's the man, but mostly he's a lot of fun. His Scottish grandma was born with her ears folded over, so everyone on her side of the family has them. They're called Scottish folds.

Auntie Manxine

I'm really fond of Auntie Manxine, even though she looks a little, well, unfinished. She's a Manx from England, where her friends call her "Rumpy" since she has no tail at all. Some Manx cats have little stumps for tails. Guess what they're called.

Curly

Never a bad hair day for my second cousin, a Devon Rex named Curly. His tightly curled fur always has that fabulous, just-styled look. He claims those lovely locks come from his gramps, who was born that way on a farm in England. Sheesh. I'd give my ninth life for a do like that.

Doug

The sphinxes are the black sheep of the family. They come from Canada originally, where they must be chilly since their suedelike skin has only a little fuzz in spots. This is Doug-you gotta fight him for sunny spots at family reunions. Love that pose!

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